source: gmanews.tv
Four more teams make their PBA Philippine Cup debut on Wednesday with the Fiesta Conference Finals rematch between San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra capping the weekday doubleheader at the Araneta Coliseum.
The intact Alaska Aces take on Barako Bull in the curtain raiser set at 5 p.m. in a game the Energy Boosters are dedicating to former team manager Tony Chua, who met a tragic death at the height of tropical storm “Ondoy."
Runner up to Talk `N Text this same conference last year, the Aces didn’t tinker much with their roster, keeping the core of two-time MVP Willie Miller, LA Tenorio, Joe DeVance and Tony De La Cruz, with rookie Mike Burtscher as the lone addition.
The same can’t be said of San Miguel.
Already teeming with talent when they bagged the Fiesta Cup crown at the expense of the Kings in seven grueling games last season, the Beermen further beefed up their lineup by acquiring Arwind Santos and Denok Miranda during the off-season.
The team did lose Marc Pingris to Purefoods, but San Miguel was fortunate to have Lordy Tugade back from injury.
Ditto for Danny Seigle, who, although not yet completely healed, is slowly trying his very best to return to the form that once made him a feared scoring threat.
“He’s trying to get there," said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen of Seigle. “But it would take time."
No team has won back-to-back titles since the two-conference format was introduced. Yet judging San Miguel’s cast, that feat may just be achieved.
“It’s flattering to be ranked as a contender but it doesn’t mean a thing if we can’t perform as a unit inside the court," said Tanquingcen. “Playing Ginebra is always hard, more so now that they got Mark (Caguioa) back."
Erik Menk, extreme right, and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings with muse Anne Curtis during Sunday’s PBA opening rites. GMANews.TV
A healthy Ginebra is a good match for San Miguel. But Gin Kings coach Jong Uichico said that the most popular team has yet to reach the chemistry that he desires now that Caguioa has returned after missing the entire 2008-09 season.
“Mark and Erik (Menk) are 80 percent (healthy)," admitted the eight-time champion coach. “We are a wait-and-see team right now, how we'll be able to adjust to each other, to the system and team chemistry."
Ginebra lost Rafi Reavis and Paul Artadi to trades during the season break. In return, the squad acquired veteran guard Celino Cruz, Rich Alvarez and big man Enrico Villanueva.
The good thing about the Gin Kings is that they will have a fit Jay-Jay Helterbrand, last season’s Most Valuable Player. Cyrus Baguio and Ronald Tubid are likewise healthy, making Ginebra one of the teams with the deepest rotations at the backcourt.
Games on Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5:00 p.m. — Alaska vs Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs San Miguel
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